Zero and Superpressure Free Flight Ballooning

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Zero and Superpressure Free Flight Ballooning

R. J. Burgess

During the years 1959 to 1975 AWRE maintained a small team which, in cooperation with other agencies and Universities, procured, launched and controlled a large number of free flight balloons of many different types for many different purposes. Most of these flights had a purely scientific objective and were undertaken in support of University Departments, but some had application to the solution of very practical problems, for instance, those associated with the flight environment of the then projected CONCORDE aircraft. The flights and their objectives were reported as they occurred. The purpose of this report is to place on record the technique for successful balloon flying which was developed over the years. Two types of free flying balloon were used, each having a different function. Zero pressure balloons had a capability of carrying 250 kg or less to 5 mb (118000 ft) and remaining at altitude for a maximum of 10 h. The payload was recoverable. Superpressure balloons had a capability of carrying a much lighter payload (less than 10 kg) to 10 mb (100000 ft) with a possible flight time of many weeks. The payload is not normally recoverable. (Author)